Pacific Fusion says Mesa Del Sol demo, $1B investment and 200 permanent jobs planned

Representatives of Pacific Fusion described plans for a demonstration fusion system and adjacent manufacturing campus at Mesa Del Sol and outlined workforce and economic development goals.

Mindy Ihiza, chief financial officer for Pacific Fusion, told the committee the company raised more than $900 million in Series A funding and plans to invest about $1,000,000,000 in the Mesa Del Sol campus, which the company selected for its proximity to national lab talent, capital‑efficient sites and permitting speed. “This demonstration system will achieve net facility gain,” Ihiza said, and she emphasized the site is designed for research and demonstration rather than commercial power production.

Ihiza said the Mesa Del Sol demonstration will draw under 3.5 megawatts from the grid and that the demonstration facility is not a conventional power plant; Pacific Fusion will manufacture subsystems in an existing Las Lunas facility and then integrate them at Mesa Del Sol. The company reported hiring 42 people so far in Las Lunas, with roughly 95% of hires from within New Mexico.

Sandia and CNM representatives said they are working with industry on technician training and tech transfer. David Kiston (Sandia) highlighted existing tech‑transfer programs that support New Mexico startups and noted the state’s labs have been an economic draw; CNM described technician boot camps and curriculum aligned to private‑sector needs.

Why it matters: committee members heard that a demonstration and manufacturing campus could create a high‑skilled supply chain, attract adjacent firms and boost workforce programs, but they also asked about water use, safety and regulatory coordination. Pacific Fusion said it is coordinating with the state's Radiation Control Bureau and that the demonstration has minimal water needs compared with other large facilities.

The presentation did not include a final timeline for commercial power deployments; company representatives said the Mesa Del Sol demonstration would break ground this summer with a ceremonial event planned in August and that they will continue workforce partnerships with CNM and higher‑education partners.